Child of Taboo: Rising in the Mortal Realm

At the age of six, Lin Yan was tested and found to have a Sense of Thought level of Three and a strength rating of Two Stars. Just enough to get into the Martial Academy, and just enough to keep anyone from giving him a second glance.

Ever since he could remember, a thread of cold had lain dormant in his left arm, held down by the jade pendant at his chest. His parents told him he was adopted, and he believed them for six years.

Then, on the day of the year-level tournament, he reached out and caught a spear between his fingers. The spear snapped, his palm was scorched, and someone in the stands rose to their feet.

That was also the day he learned the truth: nine layers of his original essence had been sealed inside him, the only thing his birth father had left him. And with every layer he unlocked, the poison in his left arm crept another inch upward.

The Lord's Estate was looking for him. People from all four realms were looking for him. They were searching for the name he had been given at birth.

All he wanted was to protect his adoptive parents and his older siblings. But this city had no room for a child who was "just good enough."